Communication: Online platforms and the Digital Single Market – opportunities and challenges for Europe

Online platforms have dramatically changed the digital economy over the last two decades and bring many benefits in today's digital society. They play a prominent role in the creation of 'digital value' that underpins future economic growth in the EU and consequently are of major importance to the effective functioning of the digital single market.

In a Communication setting out a strategy for the digital single market (DSM), the Commission committed to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the role of platforms, including in the sharing economy, and of online intermediaries. Subsequently, the Commission has conducted a series of workshops and studies and a wide-ranging public consultation, which attracted a high number of responses.

The objective of this Communication is twofold:
1. To outline the key issues identified in the assessment of online platforms.
2. To present the Commission’s position on both the innovation opportunities and the regulatory challenges presented by online platforms, and to set out its approach to supporting their further development in Europe.

This Communication is accompanied by a Staff Working Document and synopsis report on the results of the public consultation which provide additional analysis and evidence in support of the proposals which follow.

ESO: Background information: Commission updates EU audiovisual rules and presents targeted approach to online platforms http://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1213341

EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)172: Online platforms http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:172:FIN

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